Peter Hain

Westminster will not "contract out" a decision on the powers of the Welsh assembly to ministers in Cardiff, Peter Hain has said.

Speaking in the Commons on Wednesday, the Welsh secretary said that it was for the government and parliament to make the final decision.

The issue is moving up the political agenda ahead of the publication of the Richard Commission's report, which will make recommendations on the powers and electoral arrangements of the assembly.

Labour backbencher Llew Smith said that when the Cardiff assembly had set up the Richard Commission, it had effectively "contracted out" Westminster's right to make decisions on the powers of the devolved administration.

But Hain promised: "There will be no final contracting out of the decision on any changes that are recommended by the Welsh Assembly Government to Westminster.

"The decision will be taken in the first instance by a Labour government, and in the second by this parliament, so we will retain the ultimate say on whatever changes need to be taken forward as a result of the report's recommendations."

Keeping the issue on the agenda, shadow Welsh secretary Bill Wiggin suggested there were splits between first minister Rhodri Morgan and Hain on whether new powers for the Cardiff assembly should be approved in a referendum.

But Hain said that while a Scottish model would require a public vote, there were a range of other options that might not necessarily involve the transfer of such extensive powers.

"I think you'll find that is the position that Rhodri Morgan has endorsed as well," Hain added.

Wiggin also asked if Hain had ruled out a reduction in the number of Welsh MPs.

Hain said he had, and was "entitled to express a point of view as secretary of state for Wales".